Produce Briefs...
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Japanese eggplant is available year round.
Current Facts
Japanese eggplant is a member of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, which contains over 3000 species. There are three distinctly different eggplant species. Japanese eggplant is classified botanically as the species Solanum melongena L. Through genetic mapping it has been determined that all eggplant species have shared ancestry with tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Although grown and treated as a vegetable, eggplant is actually a perennial fruit as it bears seeds within its body. Thus it is botanically classified as a berry.
Description/Taste
Japanese eggplant is the Western name given to dozens of Japanese eggplant varieties, both heirloom and hybrid. The most common of these varieties are Millionaire and Orient Express, both long (growing up to eight inches in length), slender oblong shaped eggplants with glossy, purple-black, thin skin. The interior cream colored flesh is spongy and nearly seedless. Japanese eggplant's flavor is mild and because it is nearly seedless it doesn't possess that bitter quality found in Western and Thai varieties.
Nutritional Value
Eggplant skin contains 'nasunin,' a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that protects cell membranes from damage. Nasunin protects the lipids (fats) in brain cell membranes.
Applications
When a thin-skinned eggplant is desired, Japanese eggplant is the ideal variety. The eggplant's sponge-like texture qualities allow it to easily take on flavorings such as miso, soy sauce and ginger. All eggplants are amenable to a variety of cooking methods including sautéing, pan-frying, deep frying, baking, stir frying, and especially grilling. Whatever variety, choose eggplants with a firm, smooth, unblemished skin devoid of any soft spots. Japanese eggplant has a short post-vine shelf life, thus should be used within a few days of harvest.
Geography/History
Eggplant is native to Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Unlike other members of the Solanaceae family, which are native to the New World, eggplant varieties are native to the Old world. Eggplant's divergence from tomato's last shared ancestor occurred approximately 12 million years ago; they still share 27 genomes. The first known written record of eggplant is found in Qí mín yào shù, an ancient Chinese agricultural manual completed in 544. Chinese eggplant varieties were cultivated in Japan during the same era. The Japanese would successively plant newer varieties for centuries, accumulating hundreds of different subspecies. In Modern Japan, eggplant is the third most important vegetable for culinary use.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Pascucci Pasta | San Diego CA | 619-285-8000 |
| La Costa Legends | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Prepkitchen Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-247-0394 |
| Under Belly | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
| Akinori | San Diego CA | 619-220-4888 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| 333 Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-433-3333 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| West Steak and Seafood | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-9100 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Village Club | Chula Vista CA | 619-425-3333 |
| Cheesecake Factory | San Diego CA | 619-683-2800 |
| Sogno Di Vino | San Diego CA | 619-531-8887 |
| Alchemy Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-255-0616 |
| Cowboy Star | San Diego CA | 619-450-5880 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Gossip Grill | San Diego CA | 619-260-8023 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Ohana Café | La Jolla CA | 858-456-9009 |
| Bacci | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Queenstown Public House | San Diego CA | 619-546-0444 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Hotel La Jolla & CUSP Dining & Drinks | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-702-3000 |
| Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
| Barbarella | San Diego CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Japanese Eggplant. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Japanese Eggplant using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Santa Monica Farmers Market Near Santa Monica, California, United States About 23 days ago Spotter's comments : Gloria's fruits and vegetables. |
